I have been shooting surf and action sports all around the world for close to 28 years. It’s the simple beauty of nature and it’s powerful and raw elements that inspire me. The ocean,waves and all the different watermen activities being my favourite subjects. I rarely miss an occasion to go underwater to capture the beauty of our world from below the surface. Nowadays I shoot stills as much as I film. In this age of super specialised professionals I try and keep mixing up my work to stay motivated and on the edge. Although I have branched out to fashion, aerial, travel and commercial work nothing gets me more amped than going back to my first love : shooting above and below the ocean
I first discovered Tahiti in 1986, then returned in1997 for a surf trip, where I stayed for 4 weeks, I then moved there to continue my work, I was looking for a place where I could settle as I had been traveling 9 months out of a year for at least 15 years. Moving to Tahiti I knew I could do all the types of photography I liked and people would come to me.
It is a little complicated because everything happens in the water and over a large area. You need to anticipate and have all your gear protected to get the job done. Moorea is great because of the clarity of the water and great scenery. Papara is usually pretty cool also because of the waves.
It adds an extra element to the challenges. I try to capture  original underwater footage , some of the key fights between athletes and moments where the watermen and women show pure emotion. Using the seabob, an underwater scooter that is designed to explore the surface of the sea and beneath it allows me to capture the athletes in full motion.
The video footage shows athletes Carter Graves, Matt Poole (Prone Paddle board) and Grace Van Der Byl (on the SUP) at the Ironmana at Bora Bora, the final of the waterman Tahiti tour held last December.
Follow TotalSUP for the next round of the 2k18 WTT at Huahine on the 21st to 24th May 2018!
5 Apr 2024
There are many words I could use to describe Tahitian Water-woman Puatea Ellis. As a decorated French Polyensian swimming, SUP, Bodysurf, and Waterman Tahiti Tour Champion Puatea is one of the most accomplished ocean athletes in French Polynesia. The only words I can use to emphasize how remarkable Pua is… is that she is truly […]
29 Mar 2023
After two months of an epic crossing between Peru and French Polynesia known as Cap Optimist, six women from France and Spain have succeeded in their challenge to paddle across the Pacific ocean. A sporting and charitable feat achieved for the benefit of children with cancer. In partnership with Air Tahiti Nui. Cap Optimist: from […]
9 Feb 2022
Le 22 janvier dernier, le double champion de France de SUP Race longue distance Ludovic Teulade dĂ©marrait son annĂ©e 2022 en dĂ©voilant lors de la Gla Gla Race, une planche très attendue sur le segment FLAT du SUP Race: la XRS de la marque hawaĂŻenne SIC MAUI. Sous ses nouvelles couleurs officielles (les planches de […]
22 Oct 2021
Le Manomano Lodge c’est l’hĂ©bergement incontournable pour tout waterman qui passe par Tahiti . CrĂ©Ă© par Alexy Berthet, surfer, prone paddler et stand up paddler, très investi dans les compĂ©titions notamment sur les Ă©preuves du Waterman Tahiti Tour mais aussi en tant que directeur de la commission SUP Race Ă la FĂ©dĂ©ration Tahitienne de Surf, […]
20 Sep 2021
RĂ©my Lavie, l’une des figures de proue de la marque Fanatic depuis de nombreuses annĂ©es, a quittĂ© sa terre natale du Pays Basque il y a quatre ans et fait le choix d’une vie simple, faite de lagons et de cocotiers. RĂ©sidant sur l’Ă®le de Raiatea, l’une des Ă®les sous le vent, Ă un peu […]
2 Sep 2021
4 jobs, maman, femme de waterman et waterwoman. Non seulement la landaise Sandrine Berthe ne se mĂ©nage pas mais en plus elle en redemande ! Après avoir touchĂ© Ă tous les sports aquatiques ou presque depuis l’âge de 18 ans, du sauvetage cĂ´tier Ă la pirogue, en passant par le prone et le SUP Race, […]
18 Mar 2021
La pirogue ou va’a en tahitien est un des plus anciens supports nautiques au monde, ces embarcations taillĂ©es pour la haute mer ont servies Ă coloniser toutes les iles du pacifique. Depuis l’avènement de l’avion qui est, il faut l’avouer, beaucoup plus pratique, la pirogue Ă pris un tournant beaucoup plus sympa en devenant un sport […]
12 Mar 2021
Je vous prĂ©sente ma nouvelle rubrique “E MOANA A HIPA MAI“, en français “OcĂ©an, regarde moi” Depuis les grandes Ă©popĂ©es du Navigateur tahitien Tupaia et de ceux qui ont peuplĂ©s les Ă®les du Pacifique, seule l’ocĂ©an est tĂ©moin de l’histoire. C’est pour moi l’occasion de lui rendre hommage dans cette rubrique oĂą je vous partage la relation du […]
4 Dec 2020
After a frustrating ‘leap year’ for global sport, the APP World Tour will return to action for 2021 with a full line up of events spanning the globe and set to provide the World’s Best Athletes with what looks like a phenomenal and well-rounded challenge in their quest for the World Title. 2021 sees the […]
